While most folks are discussing the rise in problems with coyotes, lawmakers in one Northeast state are calling for more protections. House Bill 442 is currently floating around in New Hampshire’s state house. The bill mandates a closing to coyote hunting from April 1st through August 31st.

Introducing our new “Issues” page! The inevitable truth is that some people are hellbent on yanking the licensed hunter and regulated trapper out of the conservation equation. I’ve made it my mission, call it my “civic duty”, along with my constituents and contributors, to “hold the line” and ensure that hands-on management continues - provided it adds wealth to conservation efforts.

House Bill 442 would place a closed section on the current “year-round” coyote hunting season. The bill seeks to close hunting of coyotes from April 1 through August 31, to coincide with what the bill states are “pup rearing” months. The bill comes at a time when the topic of predator management is immensely polarized across much of North America.

The confirmation of a black bear infected with the rabies virus is the first in North Carolina’s recorded history. Only four cases of rabies in wild black bears has been documented in the continental U.S. since 1999. The discovery comes as bears seem to be popular in headlines Nationwide, and as their populations swell in the Northeast.

A bobcat that went on a two-day rampage in the Upper Valley region of Vermont was rabid. Vermont Fish & Wildlife confirmed the testing of the animal’s remains on Thursday came back positive for the rabies virus.